Foxen's 2000 Chenin Blanc reveals a captivating nose of flowers and ripe tropical fruit. It is a medium-bodied, clean, fruit-driven, fresh effort with surprising texture and length. Although not complex, it is a seductive white to enjoy over the next 1-2 years. Tel. (805) 937-4251

Starts with muted aromas of buttercream, ginger and toffee, with peach scents that emerge as the wine warms up. It’s extremely rich and extracted, not at all like Chenins of old. It’s also dry, although the ripe fruit tastes sweet. A little soft, but pleasant; sort of a cross between a fruity Riesling and a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. ——S.H.(5/1/2001)—— 86

The 1998 Chenin Blanc exhibits a super fruit cocktail-scented nose, superb clarity, surprisingly powerful, rich, medium to full-bodied flavors, and gobs of fruit. It is regrettable that more wines such as this do not emerge from California. This 1998 Chenin Blanc will be unbelievably flexible with an assortment of cuisines. Tel. (805) 937-4251; Fax (805) 937-0415

One of Foxen's unheralded successes (not commercially, but critically) is their Chenin Blanc. The 1997 is a serious, full-bodied, dry Chenin Blanc with luscious quantities of honeyed fruit. Made in a meaty, chewy style reminiscent of a beefed-up Chardonnay, it offers plenty of floral, tropical fruit, and undeniable Chenin Blanc character. Any evidence of oak is well-submerged beneath the wine's copious quantities of fruit and glycerin. Drink this mouthfilling example over the next year.One of the most noteworthy achievers in Santa Barbara, Foxen produces a range of wines. Tel. (805) 937-4251

Foxen is another idiosyncratic Santa Barbara winery marching to a different beat. This small winery offers distinctive, original, and frequently outstanding wines that possess a character completely different from anything you are likely to taste from north coast viticultural regions such as Napa, Mendocino, and Sonoma. They are fashioning some noteworthy barrel-fermented dry Chenin Blanc. If you like light, floral, crisp, delicate Chenin Blanc, Foxen's Chenin will require some adjustment. It is likely to be controversial because it is so rich and dry. It offers lovely honeyed, floral, tropical fruit, wonderful precision, and a surprisingly well-integrated, subtle oakiness. The 1992 displays slightly deeper fruit flavors, but both the 1991 and 1992 are large-scaled Chenin Blancs that should drink nicely for 2-3 years. Tel. (805) 937-4251